Because of our continued involvement in the FA Cup, our scheduled home Isthmian League match against Whitehawk on Saturday 14th October has now been moved to the evening of Tuesday 21st November, 7:45pm kickoff.
Please note that there are no men’s first team matches in midweek, as our timetable has been cleared in preparation for our FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie with Cray Valley PM. As such, our away game against Kingstonian will take place next Wednesday 18th October, 7:45pm kickoff.
A decision will be made very shortly whether there is sufficient take-up to organise a supporters’ coach for Saturday’s all important FA Cup tie at Cray Valley PM.
Please purchase your tickets asap on the link below so that we can gauge interest.
Chesham United 4 Enfield Town 3
Report by Andrew Warshaw
The Chesham United curse struck again on Saturday as Town crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle after being on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller.
Just like last season, the Generals — where we also lost in the FA Cup a few years ago — put us out of non-league football’s main cup competition though this time it was a far closer affair than that 4-0 drubbing.
Three times we came from behind to equalise, showing commendable spirit and character, only to succumb to an 89th-minute Chesham winner as the game was heading for penalties.
To make matters worse for players, management and fans alike, a highly competitive encounter was settled by a totally avoidable defensive mix-up, an agonising way to go out after battling so hard against our high-flying Southern League opponents.
Things didn’t go out way right from the off. Starting brightly, Sam Youngs was a coat of paint away from giving us a fifth-minute lead, only for Chesham to go in front 60 seconds later with a sweetly struck first-time volley from Jordan Edwards.
Sam wasn’t to be denied, however, and quickly pulled us level with a glorious strike into the corner from 20 yards.
It wasn’t long either before the next goal arrived, Generals skipper Steve Brown finishing from close range after a mistimed header back across our own box from a corner.
Whilst we needed to get closer to Chesham’s wide players, Town continued to look dangerous going forward and levelled again when Kyle Bailey controlled an Ollie Knight cross with his shoulder before prodding the ball home (pictured).
Town could have snatched the lead when debutant George Sykes’ flick-on was almost converted by Marcus Wyllie while at the other end Lucas Sinclair – the scourge of the second half – forced Rhys Forster into a smart save and almost converted the rebound.
HT: 2-2
With a card-happy referee and our all-important FA Cup tie to come next weekend, we made a change at halftime as Marcus – who had already been booked – made way for Obi Onyeagwara.
The 19-year-old made an instant impact, whipping in a dangerous cross with virtually his first touch and causing the Generals’ backline all kinds of problems.
A lovely Chesham passing movement through midfield ended with Bruno Andrade lashing wide but we were giving as much as we got — if not more.
Youngs shot straight at home keeper Zaki Oualah when either side of him would have produced a goal but once again, Chesham made us pay for hesitancy when Sinclair stayed onside to restore their lead.
Back we came for a third time, however, as Onyeagwara was up-ended by former Towner Scott Shulton and Youngs buried the penalty.
As the game entered its final stages, spotkicks looked increasingly likely, only for Chesham to put the proverbial nail in the coffin right at the death. Forster and Bailey got in a terrible tangle as to who would clear a routine ball out of defence and Sinclair took advantage by nipping in to seal a place in the next round.
“There’s been a few hard truths in the dressing room,” conceded Gavin afterwards. “Kyle had control of the situation for the last goal but the others we conceded were terrible too and it’s a game we’ve let through our grasp and I’m hugely disappointed.”
“We’ve gone away from home, scored three goals against a good side and still lost. I wonder when the last time that happened here was. Having to score five to win tells me we made rudimentary mistakes. It was a result that was totally avoidable. Now we’ve got a hell of a lot of hard work to do before Cray Valley next weekend.”
Town: Forster; Parcell, Bailey, Richmond, Payne; Knight, Youngs, Thomas (Soulya-Osekanongo, 64), Beckles-Richards; Wyllie (Onyeagwara, 46), Sykes (Keeya, 84)
You may have noticed we had a young 19-year-old on the bench at Halesowen last Saturday.
Obi Onyeagwara has formally signed for Town having made 12 appearances for Dartford towards the end of last season.
Obi progressed through the youth system at Stevenage and also spent time at Biggleswade Town.
Gavin Macpherson sees Obi as “someone we are keen to develop and a player who has real belief in himself to succeed.”
“Whilst names like Obi and Josh Keeya or not as familiar to supporters as the likes of George Sykes, it’s important to this football club that the balance between experience and younger talented players is enhanced. That includes our own pathway through the academy.”
Welcome, Obi
We are thrilled to announce the exciting signing of experienced striker George Sykes who will be available for our FA Trophy game at Chesham on Saturday.
Still only 29, George (pictured with first-team coach Steve Conroy) joins us from Step 2 Bishop’s Stortford having previously been at Aveley, Canvey Island, Braintree and a raft of other clubs and will add considerable know-how to our forward line.
“I tried to sign George earlier in the season and it didn’t happen for understandable reasons so I’m really pleased he’s decided to join us,” said Gavin Macpherson who has been searching for a suitable numerical replacement for the luckless Jake Cass.
“He’s someone who can add firepower to this team whilst adding something different. He’ll complement what we already have in the forward area.”
“We know he’s one who works hard and can be a real threat in a number of different ways. George fits the group and I think he can go on to be a firm fans favourite”.
Welcome George!
Following our superb FA Cup victory at Halesowen, attention turns to the FA Trophy this Saturday, a competition just important in the context of non-league football.
On paper, our visit to Chesham United is every bit as tough an encounter as Halesowen and we will again have to be on our game to make further progress.
Like Halesowen, the Generals are flying in their Step 3 division, lying third in Southern League South with just one defeat in nine games.
The fixture is a repeat of last season’s meeting – that time at home – when we were soundly beaten 4-0 and crashed out of the competition early doors.
Gavin Macpherson is well aware of the threat Chesham pose.
“On paper cup draws have presented us with difficult tests,” said Gav. “Chesham will be no different and will be a different sort of test to last week. It’s a competition we want to do well in but we’ll look at the whole picture and plan accordingly.
“I think we are all looking forward to another significant test and another indication of our progression as a group.”
There are no replays in the FA Trophy, the game going to penalties if the teams are tied after 90 minutes.
So now we know. We will be visiting Cray Valley PM in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Oct 14 after they won their third-round replay, upsetting Step 3 Carshalton Athletic 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Whilst this presents a fantastic opportunity to reach the first-round proper for the first time in our history having avoided all the big boys and former league clubs in the draw, Step 4 Cray, who play in the Isthmian League south-east division, will be feeling the same as us and will certainly not be under-estimated.
On paper, it’s another of those ties that has banana skin written all over it. We seem to get drawn against unbeaten sides and Eltham-based Cray Valley PM are another of them, having scored a staggering 42 goals in 13 games in all competitions so far this season.
In the league, because of several cup replays, fifth-placed Cray, who have plenty of experience within their ranks, have only played four matches but are yet to lose and are a Step 3 side in all but name.
With a certain huge away ETFC following, it promises to be another thrilling cup-tie with a momentous prize at stake.
“I’ve made it clear that any side to have made it this far in the competition is a good one,” cautioned Gavin Macpherson.
“When you look at Cray valley’s results and playing personnel , it’s clear they are more like a step three side currently playing at step four.
“I know Steve Mckimm well, and his sides are always competitive, well organised and pacey, which means a very difficult game awaits. But we’ve been to Halesowen and won and we haven’t had it easy ourselves, the boys are in good spirits and we’ll be prepared for what’s to come. We’ll need to play well to stand a chance”.
The Club is saddened to hear that Iain Keay, one of our members and donors, passed away yesterday morning.
Iain’s involvement in football in Enfield and his passion for Enfield Town FC was highlighted recently within an article on our website. Everyone at the Club sends his sister Elaine, family and friends our condolences. The Club will mark his passing at a future home fixture.
We have been drawn away to Carshalton Athletic or Cray Valley PM in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Oct 14.
The two sides drew 3-3 on Saturday at Carshalton and replay at Step 4 Cray, who lie fifth in the Isthmian League south-east division, on Tuesday night.
We of course know all about Carshalton who recently beat us at home and while everyone wishes we could have had a home tie after successive away draws against Halesowen and, in the Trophy, Chesham United, on paper there is no reason why we can’t progress and reach dreamland — otherwise known as the first round proper for the first time in our history.
“Once you get to this stage I honestly believe there isn’t an easy game so the draw is the draw,” said Gavin Macpherson.
“To automatically assume Carshalton will be the tougher opposition isn’t necessarily so, Cray Valley are a step 3 side in my opinion with an experienced Management Team so whatever happens in the replay we have a difficult game ahead.
“But we will be boosted by the weekend’s result, our supporters will travel in numbers so it’s massively exciting for the club to be at this stage of the competition”.
Halesowen Town 1-2 Enfield Town
Match report by Charlie Baker
(editing by Andrew warshaw)
For the first time in six years, Enfield Town advanced to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday, equalling our best run in the competition in an incredible Black Country atmosphere.
Town struck two incisive first-half blows, then mounted a determined rearguard action as we carried out the management’s game plan.
We always knew we’d be in for a tough afternoon. Halesowen sat third in the Southern League Premier Division Central after achieving promotion last season and were in formidable home form at The Grove.
Both teams were looking to bounce back after unbeaten league records were surrendered in their previous games so it looked to be a cracker.
And so it proved right from the start as we came out of the blocks quickly and caught the hosts by surprise.
Marcus Wyllie had already been presented with a decent chance when, with our first corner of the game after just two minutes, James Richmond leapt highest and directed his header into the corner, sending the Towners contingent behind the goal wild.
As the Yeltz grew into the game, winger George Cater twice went close and on the 18-minute mark, the home pressure told as Halesowen equalised through a brilliant individual goal from Jack Holmes who sidestepped his defenders on the edge of the area, then twisted the other way to curl a superb shot beyond the otherwise impenetrable Forster.
Far from sitting back, we responded positively as Wyllie was tackled while bearing down on goal. He had another chance a minute later but this time his attempt was blocked.
It looked like a case of déjà vu when Cater picked the ball up in our half and ran through half the team but, on his right foot this time, could only find the gloves of Rhys Forster.
Even though we were playing in purple, it was more reminiscent of the red arrows as we charged up the other end to restore our lead on 41 minutes. Ollie Knight beat his marker to whip in a wicked ball, picking out Wyllie who produced a superb side-foot finish.
There was still time for a flying save from Forster, who turned Cater’s shot on to the crossbar.
Half Time: 1-2
The outcome looked ominous as The Yeltz put the pressure back on instantly. Forster was forced into another worldie, tipping over a powerful shot from Caine Elliot.
The home corners were piling up but the partnership of Richmond and Kyle Bailey stuck firm in clearing everything thrown at them.
Despite not having many more scoring opportunities ourselves, we kept the hosts relatively quiet for about 20 minutes until another onslaught came.
Subs Kieren Donnelly and Ryan Boothe both went close and when Todd Parker fired over, it looked like it would be our day.
The final whistle was blown after an excruciating last few minutes and sent the 200 or so travelling Towners in a crowd of 1,130 into raptures (pictured)
The result put us into the fourth qualifying round – and one round from dreamland – for the first time since we were seconds away from beating National League Maidstone in 2017 before losing the replay at home. The draw takes place on Monday at 3pm on talkSport2.
Yeltz manager Paul Smith said his team missed a big opportunity and described our win as smash and grab but Gavin Macpherson heaped praise on everyone involved.
“I’m delighted for the club, the players but more than anything the supporters. They are the soul of this club and the welcome and support we all received yesterday was unbelievable,” said Gavin
“We knew we were playing a very good side, probably one of the best in the competition at this stage. It’s pleasing as manager when you put a plan into action and come away with a result. The players were unbelievable to a man, my management team also deserve massive credit especially after a difficult result last week.”
“I think we all extend nothing but best wishes to Halesowen and their fantastic support, both sets of supporters played their part in an amazing atmosphere. We’ll enjoy it briefly but my attention now switches immediately to our next significant hurdle in the shape of Chesham in the FA Trophy”.
Town: Forster; Parcell, Bailey, Richmond, Payne; Birch, Youngs, Thomas, Knight, Wyllie, Beckles-Richards (Keeya 63’)
Attendance: 1,130
